Into the Future Together: Schafhof Connects and the City of Donaueschingen Sign Equestrian Tournament Contract

The future of CHI Donaueschingen is finally secure. After Schafhof Connects GmbH & Co. KG under the management of Matthias Rath triumphed over several high-profile competitors in a bidding process, the future collaboration between Schafhof Connects, the City of Donaueschingen, and Reitturnier Donaueschingen GmbH has now been sealed. Schafhof CEO Matthias Rath, Mayor Erik Pauly, and Andreas Haller as CEO of Reitturnier GmbH signed the contract documents in the council chamber of Donaueschingen City Hall.

The contract, which starts on January 1, 2024, will initially be valid for five years. However, the partners are united in their shared interest in a long-term collaboration. The previous interactions since the initial talks began have been marked by an extraordinarily good, confidential, and goal-oriented collaboration. This highlights the great commitment and passion for the shared goal of returning the event to its former glory as a traditional classic among equestrian tournaments.

Accordingly, Mayor Erik Pauly looks to the future with confidence: “We are convinced that we have found the right partner in Schafhof Connects. The dynamism and already developed plans suggest that CHI Donaueschingen will regain its former status as an identity marker for the entire region and will develop the radiance that distinguished the tournament in the past. I am already looking forward to the event in September 2024.”

Matthias Rath is equally committed to tradition and the future: “We have goals, not only for ourselves but above all for the region and CHI Donaueschingen.”

The International S. D. Fürst Joachim zu Fürstenberg Memorial Tournament in the unique atmosphere of Donaueschingen Castle Park will return next year from September 12 to 15, 2024, after a five-year hiatus, featuring the disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and carriage driving. Preparations are already in full swing; recently, the complete redesign of the dressage area, which will be located in the middle of the park in the future, has been set in motion. Ticket pre-sales for the 2024 equestrian sports highlight will start soon.

(*pe&pa*)